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Among the physical standards criteria, athletes must be able to either squat 100kg, power clean 80kg or jump 2.5 metres from a standing start.

"The AOC believes a sensible balance can be achieved between upholding the appropriate standard of achievement for Olympic competition and the benefits of developing Australian athletes through Olympic experience for greater achievement in the years ahead," AOC spokesman Strath Gordon said.

"The AOC believed there was a strong case for the inclusion of a women's bobsleigh team on developmental grounds."

The trio, who have paid their own way for the past two years while competing internationally, have been circumspect since being overlooked.

"No matter what happens we have been proud to wear the green and gold on top of the hill this season," they posted to Facebook this week, alongside a photo of them at a competition in Switzerland.